South Africa has proved a popular travel destination in 2024, with more visitors to our shores this year than in previous ones. It is why it is one of the categories we are focusing on for our year-end gift guides.
For all the people with “I love to travel” in social media bios, or those who know someone who does, we have curated a list of nine products that we think are ideal for travellers. Some are good for use in general, and others are specifically designed for use while in transit, but regardless we think we have a fairly well-rounded list.
Scroll down further to see what we have picked for our travel-focused gift guide, and best of luck finding the right item for friends and family who enjoy travelling.
Also keep in mind that prices listed below are accurate at the time of writing, but are subject to change and product availability at the retailer.
Victorinox Swisscard Lite – R999
A regular pick from our side when gift guides roll around, a Swisscard is a handy and slim solution for those who are fans of EDC. Available locally in a trio of colours – Blue, Black, and classic Red – you can pick up a Swisscard locally for around R1k depending on the retailer.
Featuring a pen, small knife, pin, scissors, multitool, and more, it can prove a very useful piece of kit when travelling. One word of caution, however, is to not carry one when going through airports, as the knife and scissors may set off security and get it confiscated.
Romoss Zeus 40 000mAh power bank – R1 399
Some may think that a power bank is an impersonal gift, but any South African will tell you having one on hand when a power blackout hits can prove a godsend. This one from Romoss, which is a well-known and trusted brand in the Hypertext office, features a mammoth 40 000mAh battery.
Supporting 65W quick charging, an LED display to indicate battery power percentage, and the ability to charge three devices at once, having one of these while travelling could prove vital depending on where it is you’re heading.
JBL Tune Flex noise-cancelling earphones – R1 599
If you are travelling by plane for the upcoming festive season, or any time really, a pair of wireless earphones are essential. A pair that also support noise cancellation are even better. There are a lot of expensive options out there, but this pair from JBL are well priced, along with featuring some interesting transparent colourways.
With up to 32 hours of battery life (including the charging case), there should be more than enough juice to get through even the longest of long haul flights.
Sony ULT Field 1 – R1 999
Sticking with audio, our next recommendation is less personal and more designed for groups. We also happened to recently review the Sony ULT Field 1 where it impressed nicely.
The rugged rubber body, booming bass, easy pairing and set up, and solid battery life all add up to a portable speaker that is great for travelling as it is no larger than a 1 litre bottle. For those travelling to the beach or planning a lot of outdoor activities, this should keep vibes high.
Nintendo Switch Lite – R4 999
It is time to discuss the most expensive option on the list – the Nintendo Switch Lite. Should the in-flight entertainment prove not that entertaining, or you simply need to kill time during connections, a handheld console is a good option to have.
Really designed for solo play as the Joy-Cons here cannot be removed, the Lite is far more affordable option that the other Switch consoles, along with coming in five bright and distinct colours. With battery life ranging between three to seven hours depending on the titles, it is a welcome distraction.
DJI Osmo Mobile SE – R2 399
If you want to turn your holiday into a series of short videos or vlog, using your smartphone in conjunction with a gimbal is a great solution. Few come more highly recommended than the ones from DJI, and the Mobile SE iteration is one of the more affordable models in the lineup.
With DJI also featuring its own app to assist in setting up great shots for easier editing afterwards, it is piece of kit that any traveller should add to their arsenal, especially if they want to share experiences with others.
Fujifilm Instax mini Link 3 – R2 795
Another regular recommendation when gift guides are upon us, the Instax printers are the far superior option to the instant cameras from Fujifilm in our opinion. This namely as you are able to use your existing phone’s camera roll and print nostalgia-tined instant photos.
With the ability to edit photos in your library before printing them too, from a pure aspect of choice and customisation, printers like the mini Link 3 are great, especially for little moments to share with others on your travels.
AeroPress coffee maker – R1 199
Are you a weird coffee person or know someone who is? You may want to consider a portable coffee maker. AeroPress is the best known in the industry, although whether it makes the best coffee of the lot is up for debate.
Either way, if you want give someone the gift of higher quality coffee than the free dried stuff when travelling, picking up one of these is definitely worth considering. Selecting a bean, roast, and grind, however, may prove a little more difficult.
Apple AirTag – R749
Last on our least is another recent favourite with the Apple AirTag. Yes, we are aware that they have been used for more nefarious activities of late, such as unwarranted tracking and stalking of people, but it truly is a great little gadget for keeping tabs on your luggage while in transit.
Depending on the device, it can be used to track that too, which could come in handy if you’re exploring a country where people are known to have sticky fingers. They are pricey, and hopefully you won’t have to use it, but if you do, you’re glad it was available.
IF TRAVEL AIN’T YOUR THING, YOU CAN ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR OTHER 2024 GIFT GUDES HERE.
[Image – Photo by Benjamin Voros on Unsplash]
